Extracts from Letters

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 2, 1866

Extracts from Letters.

Sister J. Giles writes from Tompkins, Mich.: Of late, the church here have been striving to get right in the sight of God. In the providence of God our dear Bro. Bates came this way, and a good work has been accomplished. Confessions have been made, and union restored, which I trust will be lasting. Oh, the goodness of God to us in our lukewarm condition. How patiently he has waited for us, and not spued us out of his mouth, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come unto him and have life.

The work of overcoming is the great object of my life. The truth of God is ever dear to me. Though clouds and darkness sometimes obscure our pathway, yet there is light and glory ahead; and if we are faithful, Jesus has promised to bring us through.

We are trying to practice the health reform, believing it to be a part of the truth; and we think it necessary to have healthy bodies and sound minds in order to be enabled to glorify God in our bodies and spirits which are his, and be prepared for the great work that is before us. Let us all be faithful in these things, that finally we may share in that rest that remains for the people of God.

Sister C. Craig writes from Marshall, Iowa: I am trying to live up to the doctrine of what we believe to be the last message of mercy. I have for several years believed in the Advent doctrine. I did not know that there was another person on earth that believed as I did, until about two years ago, when I moved to Marshall, Henry Co., Iowa, where I became acquainted with Bro. and Sr. Livingston, who, though they were alone there in their faith, had heard a few sermons, and were taking the Review, which they let me have to read. I found it of great interest; and as from sickness and misfortune I had become unable to take it myself, they procured a copy for me which I still receive, and read with the greatest interest; as it is my only instructor. I have believed the seventh day to be the true Sabbath for many years; but according to my understanding of the Scriptures, I had settled down in the belief that Christ at his coming had abolished, at least, the sanctity of the Sabbath, so that it made little difference which day we kept, or how, provided we went to meeting, and did no extra work. But after reading the Review, I embraced the Sabbath, and am now trying to live the life of a Christian, surrounded with wickedness, and with no other instructor than the Review.

And now I am about to remove to a far distant land, the State of Kansas, where I shall probably be no less surrounded with wickedness than here in Iowa. Oh, that the Lord might send some messenger that way, to proclaim the truth.

Bro. A. S. Gillet writes from Elgin, Iowa: Is it best to have sermons in the Review? How many ways God has to encourage humble cast-down souls. I feel as though I wanted to ask all to whom Jesus has said, “Feed my sheep, Are you doing your whole duty?” You may say, Yes, I preach all that I am able to. But do you do it to the largest congregations you can get, and especially to the lonely ones some of whom never can get away from the trials and perplexities of home duties? Do you do it, while there is a single number of the paper that goes out from the office without a sermon in it? While the reports from the meetings are good, and the letters, and all the rest, some precious promises quoted with faithful admonitions, encouragements given from a heart full of love to Him who gave the great command, will reach a place in the hearts of the lonely tried ones that nothing else will.

Bro. E. G. Rust writes from Cato, Mich: Do we realize that the seventh day of each week is time that the Lord has set apart for himself and his own use? How do we use that time? If upon this holy time we let our minds and thoughts dwell upon things of this world, and our own business, are we not robbing God of his time, using it in our own service? If we are found behindhand when the Sabbath commences, are we not robbing God? Is it not better that we spend one half of every sixth-day in preparation, than to use five or ten minutes of holy time in our own service? Then let us try to spend the Sabbath aright, honoring God, not doing our own ways, nor finding our own pleasure, nor speaking our own words; that the Lord may more abundantly bless us.

Let us strictly adhere to all his commandments, be diligent and devoted in his service, strive to build up and strengthen each other in the faith, and we shall soon meet around the throne above to part no more.

J. C. Sutton writes from Farmington, Pa.: My greatest desire is that I may find grace to enable me to endure unto the end. I want to be one of that happy company that shall have their robes washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb. I want to be cleansed from all sin, and with them find that rest that remains for the people of God.